Saskatchewan Fastest Growing Province As Canada’s Population Passes 33 Million

Saskatchewan fastest growing province as Canadian population passes 33 million

The Canadian Press
December 19, 2007

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says Canada's population has exceeded the 33-million mark.

And Saskatchewan, with more than a million people for the first time in six years, has supplanted Alberta as the country's fastest growing province.

The federal agency estimated Canada's population at 33,091,200 on Oct. 1, up 115,200 from July 1.

The population increased 0.35 per cent during the third quarter, the strongest growth rate since the third quarter of 2001.

The population growth rates in four provinces – Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta – exceeded the national rate during the third quarter.

Immigration remained strong during the third quarter, with about 71,600 newcomers, the second highest quarterly level since 1971.

Net international migration accounted for two-thirds of the country's population increase.

Saskatchewan's population was estimated at 1,003,300, up by 6,400, or 0.65 per cent, from July 1. These gains were record highs as interprovincial migration accounted for two-thirds of the increase.

The Northwest Territories was the only jurisdiction to record a demographic decline. Its population fell 0.5 per cent in the third quarter.